On Sunday afternoon, it was announced that former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton had passed away. Even though he had been very open about his mental health challenges and his battles against the demons of drugs and alcohol, his death came as a shock.
He was only 46 years old and he had been planning a comeback fight in December this year, more than a decade after his last competitive contest.
Tributes poured in from the boxing world, from friends and former opponents alike; from fellow sportsmen; and from celebrities and fans around the world.
The outpouring of grief was entirely understandable. Hatton was a popular champion; a brave fighter whose accomplishments far exceeded his capabilities. He was an everyman made good. He will be greatly missed.
A few days before, TV news cameras captured the murder of right wing activist, Charlie Kirk. He was a divisive character. To those on the right, he was a leader and a mouthpiece. To those on the left, he was a mortal enemy. To many, he was entirely unknown until his untimely death which forced him onto front pages and into a wider public consciousness. It is already clear that he will be even more divisive and even more influential than he was in life.
Whether you are a boxing or sports fan and regardless of whether your personal politics lean left or right, the names of Ricky Hatton and Charlie Kirk will be instantly familiar.
But what of those names that are less familiar. Less revered. Less celebrated. What of those people whose passing goes unheralded?
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